Foaling Watch Update – March 19, 2025
🔹 Quick Status Overview 🔹
🐴 Elusive Surprise & Thirteen (Colt) – Day 7 – Thriving! Thirteen is full of energy, leading beautifully, and the naming contest is now open!
🐴 Lady Dyanaformer – Day 341 – Milk calcium has surpassed 200 ppm, and pH has dropped significantly. We are officially in the final stages of foaling prep!
🐴 My Audubon – Day 321 – No major changes, still resting well at night but now showing minor ventral edema.
Surprise & Thirteen: Growing & Full of Personality
Surprise and Thirteen continue to do exceptionally well. This colt is proving to be incredibly smart, bold, and full of energy.
📌 What’s new with Thirteen?
✔️ Leading beautifully on a halter—he’s already handling like a pro.
✔️ Keeping Surprise on her toes with his zoomies in the round pen.
✔️ Turning one week old after midnight!
💡 Big news! The naming contest for Thirteen is now open! Members can submit name ideas here:
👉 https://www.foalcircle.com/events-and-contests/help-name-elusive-surprises-13th-and-final-foal
We’re excited to see what creative names are suggested for this very special colt!
Dyana’s Milk Test: The Final Stage Before Foaling?
Tonight, the Horse Husband Stables team re-tested Dyana’s mammary secretions (last tested on March 17), and we now have some major changes!
📌 Milk Calcium: Over 200 ppm
This is the critical threshold, meaning she has officially entered the final pre-foaling stage. Based on research:
🔹 24-hour probability of foaling: ~50%
🔹 48-hour probability of foaling: ~84%
🔹 72-hour probability of foaling: ~98%
While she may not foal immediately, this is the strongest indicator yet that we are getting very close.
📌 pH Drop: A Key Indicator That Can Shift Rapidly
Dyana’s pH has dropped significantly, and while it’s harder to determine the exact number using color-matched pool strips, we know:
✔️ It’s definitely below 7.2.
✔️ It could be at or below 6.8.
💡 What Does This Mean for Foaling?
🔹 When pH is above 7.2, foaling is unlikely to be imminent.
🔹 A drop to 6.8 or lower means foaling is likely within the next 24-72 hours.
🔹 Once pH reaches 6.4 or lower, foaling is typically very imminent (often within 12-24 hours).
Since pH can drop much more rapidly than calcium can rise, it’s possible that she’s on the verge of foaling tonight.
Could the Weather Be the Final Push?
Not only is tomorrow Dyana’s official due date (March 20, Day 342), but the weather is also turning cold and stormy overnight.
🔹 Significant temperature drops and storms often correlate with mares choosing to foal.
🔹 Some research suggests barometric pressure changes can trigger the release of oxytocin, which helps initiate labor.
🔹 If she foals after midnight, she’ll make it 2-for-2 for mares foaling on their actual due dates at Horse Husband Stables.
Countdown to Thirteen’s First Week
It’s hard to believe, but after midnight, Thirteen will officially be one week old! Time is flying, and he’s already growing and learning so much.
With Dyana’s indicators shifting rapidly and stormy weather rolling in, tonight could be the night. Keep your eyes on the live cameras, and we’ll update as soon as anything happens!
